Vendor Scoop Archives

Vendor Scoop / wedding day tips

Vendor Scoop: Bridal Makeup with Alexandra Nicole

January 12, 2016

Did y’all know Maddie Moree has the HOOK UP on some bridal makeup? Well, I do. Boom.

Today, I want to feature this fun little video I created with Alexandra Nicole of Adel Amor and City Chic Living Blog! She is an EXCELLENT bridal makeup artist, and I think she has a good eye for what works on people.

In the video, she discusses the two main looks she created from our wedding shoot as well as her awesome makeup line.

I’ll let the video do the talkin’ now and leave you to it.

About the Vendor Scoop:

I created this section of my blog to highlight some of the amazing vendors in the Memphis area and to have them answer questions you, as a bride, want to know! I know the wedding day is more than great wedding photography. It’s creating a team of awesome vendors to make each part of your day work flawlessly together. Vendor Scoop is a way for me to lend you a helping hand and give you tips on vendors that are different from theknot.com AND local to the Memphis area! For additional information on any of the awesome vendors I talk about, feel free to email me for their information! (madison@yenstudios.com)

xoxo

Vendor Scoop / wedding day tips / Weddings

Vendor Scoop on Venues: Annesdale Mansion

March 12, 2015

So we’ve talked about some very important parts of the wedding industry, like wedding planners and DJs. Now let’s talk about venues…starting with Annesdale Mansion! Now you may be thinking that this place looks familiar! That’s because we shot our last Click Magazine issue there, which was the bridal issue! You can see those photos right here!

Let me start by saying, if you haven’t been to Annesdale, oh my gosh, it’s breathtaking! It is a beautiful historic MANSION! It’s in the center of town, so you don’t have to travel to Timbuktu to get there. And honestly, I don’t think there is another place quite like it.

The thing about venues is every venue has a personality.

This personality can be “flexible,” as in you can add different tables and floors and chandeliers and any other rental you want to order, but the bones of the venue really should fit with you and your fiancé’s personality as a couple. Of course, the venue’s personality is totally subjective. 😀

Annesdale, for me, reminds me of “Longbourn” from Pride and Prejudice. You know, back when houses were so stately, you had to name them. Annesdale would have been where I married my Mr. Darcy. <3 *swoon*

Anyhoo, I got to sit down and chat with Valerie, “Val”, the event manager extraordinaire at Annesdale Mansion to get the scoop on all the fabulous things Annesdale offers. So here we go with the interview!

Maddie: So Valerie, who is the perfect bride for Annesdale? (ie-someone who is a bit vintage and classic? It reminds me of a house in Pride and Prejudice! Oh Mr. Darcy…)

Val: There is no perfect bride for Annesdale…Annesdale transforms into the perfect venue for that bride. It can be classic and sophisticated, romantic and vintage, intimate and welcoming… From the intricate details of the hand painted ceilings to the majestic beauty of the historic trees and greenery.

Maddie: Obviously you know, Annesdale has a lot of character. From the walls, courtyards, to all the rooms that are so completely different, etc. Can you describe it a bit? (I included some images of just a FEW of the settings Annesdale has to offer! Notice the walls, chandeliers, windows, and the grounds! Ahhh. Beautiful!)

Check out the walls! Such character!

Val: There is something so romantic about the fact that Annesdale was originally given as a wedding present to Annie Overton Brinkley from her father. It was made for weddings! People always tell me that they never knew it was here, or they always knew it was here, but never had the opportunity to see it up close.

Annesdale is very versatile. The options for brides are endless. They can set up the entire mansion as they please. There are rooms for the bride and bridesmaid to get dressed as well as separate rooms for the groom and groomsmen. Downstairs provides a catering kitchen, ballroom, library, dining room, sun room, breakfast room and state room. All of which flow beautifully together for crowds of people. We just put in a gorgeous limestone patio/dance floor off of the back porch. Bands can play on the porch, guests can dance on the limestone or sit next to the ceremony garden or in the side yards. Everything about Annesdale is beautiful.

When guests pull through the gates, they are greeted by over 7 acres of historic grounds and trees. The property is tucked away and fenced completely around. It’s a hidden jewel.

The ceremony garden provides a breathtaking backdrop for any ceremony size. The interior of the mansion presents a definite wow factor. Original aubasson wall coverings, hand painted ceilings, crystal chandeliers. Annesdale takes you back in time. You can’t help but feel the warmth and history of the home.

Check out the outside of it!

Maddie: I know Annesdale is a hot venue right now. How soon in advance should brides be booking for their wedding day?

Val: Brides should be booking their venue 9 months to a year and a half away. I have already had calls for 2018!

Maddie: Is there a rain back-up plan? I know that the Annesdale grounds are absolutely beautiful during the spring-fall, but to ease brides’ fears, how’s the “Plan B” for the rain situation? Especially if it’s a large group.

Val: Brides can prepare for a rain plan by reserving a tent. There are 4 places on the property that tents have been used. Over the dance floor/patio, the ceremony garden and two side yards. Our west side yard can allow for a 60′ by 90′ double pole tent that can accommodate a few hundred people. Brides can also get married in our ballroom or front porch.

Maddie: Do you have any tips or recommendations for girls looking for a venue? This is a really vague question, but mainly what is the most common question every bride asks you…other than price?

Val: Brides need to fall in love with the venue they choose. Make as many visits as possible to ensure it is the perfect place for their wedding or reception. Look at pictures of actual weddings at the venue. I tell potential brides to stop in the morning of an event to see the venue decorated with tables, chairs, decorations, etc. Make sure you have a point of contact at the facility that you can contact with questions or concerns.

Ask about any extra costs other than the rental fee. READ the contract before you sign it.

Maddie: Ok, ladies. Listen to Val here. She’s speaking truth right here! When she says “Extra costs”…this is where you will get KILLED in your budget. The hidden things that creep up on you like that midterm tomorrow morning you totally forgot was happening.

For example: TAXES. SERVICE CHARGES. DELIVERY FEES. CAKE CUTTING FEES. RENTAL FEES. Ahhhhhhhhhh!

Make sure you AND the check writer (love ya, mom & dad) KNOW what these are so you aren’t stuck at the reception having to write checks you weren’t expecting. I honestly cannot stress that enough. We are talking thousands of dollars that are unplanned, which can kinda hurt depending on your budget. And it may be a bit embarrassing if you really weren’t budgeting for that extra bit.

So now, let’s keep this uplifting budget discussion going with the rental fees. (yay……..)

Maddie: Ok, Val. Let’s talk price…Are their different tiers or is it a flat rate?

Val: We have a flat fee. The main thing with our rental fee is what it all includes. Tables, chairs, valet parking, security, event coordination, pre and post clean, access for bridal portraits and event insurance. We allow our brides to choose their own vendors. This often saves brides a ton of money by picking your own caterer, photographer, etc. You may also bring in your own alcohol. There is no corkage fee or cake cutting fee.

The only time there may be an extra charge to our flat fee is when the wedding party exceeds 250 guests. In that case, we need to bring in another security guard and a few more valet attendants to assure all guests’ needs are met.

Love the windows in this room!

Maddie: And then to all of your brides who have already booked. How involved with the venue should they be up till the wedding? Is it a “they book, and I talk to them 2 weeks before the big day kind of thing” or more of a “we have several meetings to plan/discuss other vendor choices and where to put things” kind of relationship?

Val: The owner and myself agree on the importance of being as flexible as possible for our brides. It is “their” day and whatever we can do to make it easier and less stressful on them, we’ll do.

During the planning process, my brides have an “open door policy” at Annesdale. If I am here, they can pop in anytime they need to. There have been countless occasions that a bride wants to show the home to a friend or come by with a vendor. They are welcome! Most call and text me with questions and/or advice. I am happy to share the experiences I had with other weddings and vendors and I am open to new ones.

Our event coordinators are in touch with all vendors to schedule deliveries and set up. We have someone at the venue from open to close on the day of a wedding to assist with anything the bride needs.

Maddie: If you are getting married there, can you have engagement pictures shot there as well? Is there a fee or is that part of the package? And do you allow other couples who are not getting married to take pictures there?

Val: Being an Annesdale bride means you have have full picture access. Brides can come for engagement pictures, save the date pics, bridal portraits, etc. No charge.

We do schedule photo sessions for a small fee for anyone else wanting to take pictures. We ask that no bridal portraits be taken unless you are a contracted Annesdale bride.

Maddie: That’s definitely a plus if you are a bride. You know that only a few girls will have bridal portraits there, which makes it waaaaay more exclusive!

Ok, so there you have it! You got all this fabulous info from the Vendor Scoop on Maddie Moree’s blog! For your next event, be sure to remember Annesdale Mansion!

Stay tuned for more vendor scoopage on other venues as well as other wedding vendors!

xoxo

Vendor Scoop

The Vendor Scoop on DJs

February 19, 2015

I hope you all enjoyed my very first Vendor Scoop post last week! If you didn’t get a chance to check it out, here it is!

This week, we are here with the amazing Jimmy Harris from DeepBlu Entertainment. I’m gonna be straight up with you folks. I used him for my wedding, and obviously, I thought he did an amazing job because I am interviewing him for the VENDOR SCOOP! Wahoo!

Real quick, I wanted to give you some background on Jimmy and his biz, DeepBlu Entertainment. DeepBlu is a team of 8 entertainers/DJ’ers, all experienced in wedding and event DJing. Jimmy has been DJing for 15 years and a professional musician & songwriter for 23 years now. So needless to say, if something CRAZY were to happen at your venue, like the power turning off….Jimmy could “technically” swoop in to save the day with a professional live performance! Not gonna say that actually happened, you will just have to contact him to find out (wink, wink)!!

Ok, so on to our questions. I wanted to make sure I got a DJ into the Vendor Scoop asap to ask the how, when, where, and “please walk me through it” because I honestly think the DJ has the life of your party in the palm of his/her hand. If their computer crashes, or transitions suck, or if they are just obnoxiously talking too much as the emcee, people may have to hit up the open bar way more than usual ($$)…or they may just leave. EEK, every bride’s worst nightmare. So how can you tell the good from the bad? Ideally, you could make your friends who are getting married the year before you try them out first, and if everything works out – THEN you can hire them. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that all the time. So here’s what you need to know!

In the wedding vendor booking timeline, when should you book your DJ? We both know you’re a pretty hoppin’ DJ, so about how far out do you book?

This is a good one, and it gets asked of us a LOT. The best time to book your DJ or any vendor, especially if they are in demand, is as soon as possible. We currently have events booked all the way up to May of 2017. Some clients, like our May 2017 client, already know that the best time to book is ASAP.

This is true people. Here’s my little 2 cents on booking asap. If you LOVE a vendor, like “OMG, my wedding will be ruined without them,” hire them as soon as you can!!

For things like venues, photographers, particular DJs, videographers…the things where there is only 1 person/place to accommodate you on YOUR date, hire ASAP.

I can’t photograph 2 weddings in a day, but if you hire a commercial florist or baker, they can do waaaaaay more weddings/day than others can.

And keep in mind when you are scheduling your meeting that for companies like Jimmy’s where there is a team of DJs, make sure you meet with the actual DJ you are hiring. You want to have a great fit for your big day, so just be sure to either inquire about the DJ selection process prior to meeting or request a specific DJ if you have a person in mind.

Ok, next.

Is there a chance a bride/groom can ever come out and see you in action before booking? Is that a weird request to make?

No it’s not weird at all. We have made arrangements like this in the past. However, it’s an aspect that must be handled very carefully. In order to make this happen it is necessary to contact the couple that is having the wedding that your prospective client is asking to attend to make sure that they drop in. If not handled correctly, it may seem a bit imposing to your current client. Tread carefully and respectfully.

Do you do ceremony music too? (This is a pretty typical combo: a ceremony + reception package.)

Yes we do. We offer pre-recorded music as well as string trios and quartets. Many years ago, I experienced a string quartet at an event and was so impressed I brought them on to be a part of our team. I got more than I bargained for though. I didn’t realize that it wasn’t just a string quartet I was bringing on – it was an entire TEAM of extremely talented musicians. Now they are all part of the DeepBlu team.

This would come in handy for sure if you want an instrumental touch for the ceremony, but not the reception. Way more convenient than having to hunt another vendor down. If you are ever having a hard time finding a vendor, just ask a vendor you have already booked! The wedding industry, especially in Memphis (woot woot) is a very close-knit community, and they are HAPPY to refer the people they believe to do good work!

Alrighty then…

Can you explain a little about what makes you awesome?

(Perhaps this question is biased…but whatever. When my venue’s awesome event coordinator referred Jimmy, she said “I recommend Jimmy Harris with DeepBlu Entertainment because he’s one of the few who doesn’t irritate me.” Verbatim!! That’s pretty telling right there because DJs can really ruin the vibe of the event, be annoying, or just straight up “ugh.”)

So how do you and your team mitigate this risk and differentiate yourself from the not so great DJs?

We care deeply about our performances at every wedding. We also care about the image that we portray when we are performing at wedding events. I think that people have had bad experiences with DJs in the past for many reasons, but the ones I hear the most are that they take too many breaks, they drink & smoke on the job, they don’t follow the instruction and direction of the coordinator/planner and they don’t dress appropriately.

“With regard to how we are different, I think that’s because we are all working, professional entertainers with strong backgrounds as musicians ourselves.”

Musicians hold music as a precious life essential, so our view on music as a whole is almost sacred. That may sound silly, but it’s true. Also, I have been told that our customer service is better than any business that our clients have ever experienced – not just wedding vendors, ANY business. That was my goal from the start, and it has always been extremely important to me.

How do you tailor the music played to the couple and their crowd?

Our couples have as much input on their preferred (and not preferred) music as they want. Basically, we get a snapshot of their musical tastes and go from there. We never truly know what kinds of music we will play for the entire evening until the event gets rolling. That’s the “live” aspect of our performances.

“You have to let the event and the guests in attendance dictate where to go as long as it fits within the parameters mutually agreed upon by us and our clients. It’s very organic.”

**That’s a great point too. You want to look for someone who can improvise and feel the mood of the room. What gets the crowd going so they get on the floor dancing??

Next question…

What are your most frequently asked questions along with the answers?

“How much do you charge?” is the most commonly asked question obviously. That’s the question that has no “one size fits all” answer. My response to that is, “What would you like for us to do for you?”

The next most popular question is (believe it or not), “OK, what’s your sales pitch?” This one is my favorite. My answer is always, “I don’t have one.” Talk about an ice breaker LOL

That’s pretty funny! I don’t think I’ve ever been asked that. I’d be like…uh…. *long awkward silence.* Haha

So before we finish, is there anything you want to add onto for what bride/grooms should know about hiring a DJ?

Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions of your DJ. It’s your right as a client to ask anything you want. Dig as deep as you’d like. Ask your DJ if he/she drinks or smokes on the job. Ask them what they will wear, and tell them what to wear if the answer isn’t the one you want. Tell them that you can’t stand Taylor Swift even though you know that your Maid of Honor will ask to hear “Style” some time during the night.

“Stay in control when appropriate, but then take your hands off the wheel and let them do what they do after you have decided that you trust them enough to hire them.”

That’s something too, folks. At some point ladies, you have to trust your vendors and ENJOY the day. You’re job is done after your last vendor is booked. If you’ve hired great vendors, it’s your turn to sit back and watch the magic happen.

Well, did y’all like Jimmy?? I highly recommend him for any event you need a DJ for! 🙂 Tell me what you thought, and who else do you want to hear from for your wedding planning?!

Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Stay tuned for the next vendor scoop!! Who will I interview next??

xoxo

Featured / Vendor Scoop / wedding day tips

The Vendor Scoop on Wedding Planning

February 14, 2015

Betsy McKay with Salt Style & Events

Meet Betsy:

Betsy is the owner of Salt Style & Events, which is a wedding and event planning company in Memphis! They put on fabulous events tailored to the bride and groom, adding flavor and spicing things up (Salt, get it??). I highly recommend them for any wedding or event planning you are in the market for. Betsy is VERY organized, and has a great hold on the wedding professionals in the market, which makes for great recommendations and results!

So, why we are here…

As a past bride, a wedding planner was something I wanted but didn’t think I could afford.

I think a lot of people feel this way, or they want to do it themselves (at least they think they do). So I wanted to chat with Betsy and get some good advice and see what’s the dealio with wedding planning these days.

Let’s get started!

So first things first, Betsy, when should you hire a wedding planner? Can you tell me a bit about the process? Do they meet with you and then you find the vendors, or do they come to you after they have found them, and you coordinate everything?

Brides can select their wedding coordinator at various stages of the planning process. Salt Style & Events recommends that brides choose a planner as soon as they become engaged.

It is wise to decide on the wedding budget as soon as possible and how much help they may need from a wedding planner.

Couples who select Salt’s full-service package are assured that we will help them every step of the way from vendor selection to the wedding day logistics. We recommend at the very least our “week of” package to ensure that the wedding party is able to relax, look pretty and enjoy the special event without worrying about all of the details.

I completely agree with that last statement…with at least the “week of” package, you are not scrambling around to make sure your centerpieces are perfect, and all you have to worry about is saying “I do!”

Honestly, that’s a great package for the DIY Brides and MOBs (Mother of brides) too because they can plan and decorate things, but have someone else help with the execution of the event. A little anecdote for you: my mom and sister are VERY crafty, and wanted to do the whole wedding themselves. But for the day of, my poor mom was working her little fingers to the bone to make sure the centerpieces were done and the reception hall was decorated. She was so stressed that she barely remembers the day, and she missed some of the important moments of my sister getting ready because she was decorating before people arrived. So lesson learned. Luckily, I’m not as crafty so my centerpieces were just the flowers my florist did.

Ok, moving on.

Now for me, I didn’t have a wedding planner because I was scared it would eat up so much of my budget. But, wedding planners can actually help save money, right? They practically pay for themselves when you count the discounts you get from rentals, not to mention how they can steer you away from some of the bad vendors who just take your money. Can you describe some of the ways you help save brides money and from being so stressed out?

Many brides share the same fear that you experienced. I always explain that the amount of pressure and stress your wedding planner can save you is priceless.

Weddings are a time to focus on friends and family, to concentrate on looking and feeling your best, and enjoying all of the wedding festivities to the fullest.

I have had multiple families remove my coordination fee from the bottom line of their wedding budget because they feel it was so worth their sanity. Salt’s experience in the wedding planning business allows them to know what vendors offer the best products at the best prices to better serve the client.

Alrighty then.

Let’s say I’m sold on hiring you for my wedding planning! Will you accompany brides to vendor appointments? How involved are you once someone has booked?

Depending on the coordination package chosen by the bride, I do attend and coordinate vendor meetings. Memphis has so many talented vendors and I love working with them all. I typically suggest two to three vendors per category (catering, floral, photography, etc.) to my clients that I feel would be a good fit for the type of event they want to host. I try to attend as many vendor meetings as time allows because it makes my job and the communication that much more efficient. I often serve as the mediator in meetings when it comes time to talk about budget and adding and deleting items.

That last statement is really telling here, folks. Talking money is hard! When you have someone kinda helping with that, it ensures you will 1. Stay in BUDGET, and you won’t feel pressured to add costs because of the vendor. AND 2. You can have your wedding planner talk about the awkward money part…am I right? (I feel like I hear a sigh of relief across the Internet).

Want to hear more from Betsy?? Stay tuned! She will be back later to talk more about different types of wedding planning and some fabulous destination tips!

So you’ve just witnessed Part 1 of Maddie Moree Getting the Vendor Scoop! Tell me what you thought! Oh and don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @maddie_moree!

xoxo

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Vendor Scoop: Bridal Makeup with Alexandra Nicole

Vendor Scoop on Venues: Annesdale Mansion

The thing about venues is every venue has a personality.

When guests pull through the gates, they are greeted by over 7 acres of historic grounds and trees. The property is tucked away and fenced completely around. It’s a hidden jewel.

Ask about any extra costs other than the rental fee. READ the contract before you sign it.